Impact of Quality Assurance on Management of Public Universities in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research delved into the effects of quality assurance on the management of public universities in Benue State. The study was guided by two research questions, and two null hypotheses were formulated and tested. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the population comprised 2,902 staff from two public universities in Benue State, with a sample size of 290, representing 10% of the total population. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling procedure to select participants. Data collection was conducted using a 10-item structured four-point scale questionnaire called the "Quality Assurance and Management Questionnaire (QAMQ)," with a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.70. The research employed mean and standard deviation to address the research questions and a t-test to test the null hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that monitoring and evaluation, recruitment of staff, and provision of facilities had a significant impact. Consequently, the study concluded that quality assurance significantly affects the management of public universities in Benue State. Based on the study's results, recommendations were made, including the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation committee by university management to assess and enhance staff capacity through training, thereby improving their knowledge, pedagogical skills, and overall competence for an enhanced teaching-learning process in universities. Furthermore, the university governing council should adopt appropriate criteria when selecting and appointing qualified staff in universities.